Mazda shines with CX-30 SUV

Mazda has produced some of the best SUVs in recent years. The spacious and capable CX-5 is perhaps my favourite of the Nissan Qashqai-sized vehicles, while the stylish CX-3 can hold its head high in the Nissan Juke category.

Apparently Mazda felt there was too big a gap between the two models. Hence this, the CX-30. Why not call it the CX-4, you ask? There’s already a Mazda CX-4, though you can only buy it in China.

Anyway, the CX-30 is on its way to these shores. Based on the Mazda 3, it’s a mid-sized SUV that is focused very squarely at on-road driving – it is available with four-wheel drive, but of the sort that can deal with bad weather, not wading through rivers.

The CX-30 is a sharply styled, well proportioned piece of work – especially in the striking “soul red crystal” colour which catches the light nicely.

It doesn’t go on sale in the UK until November so I headed to the Spanish countryside to try it out. Although it has produced a diesel version, Mazda won’t be bringing that to these shores and all UK CX-30s will be petrol only.

There will be a choice of two engines, both 2.0 litres. There’s the 2.0 litre, 120bhp Skyactiv G, which has mildhybrid power and has been in various Mazdas for some time now. And there’s the brand new 2.0 litre Skyactiv X, an engine Mazda is very proud of – claiming it delivers near-diesel economy with petrol levels of refinement and power.

The CX-30 drives very well indeed. Refinement is excellent and it handles much better than a taller car should, gripping corners nicely and keeping body roll well in check.

The 120bhp entry engine is perfectly fine, delivering decent acceleration and economy. The new Skyactiv X engine really is quite special though (vital stats are for this model in entry trim). With 178bhp, it’s a lot more powerful and, thanks to Mazda’s engineering wizardry, it is also more economical.

Mazda is still to reveal final WLTP cycle economy figures but I achieved low 40s in the standard 2.0 litre and mid 40s in the Skyactiv X engine – not bad at all considering I was enjoying the car’s power rather than driving for economy.

Inside there’s the usual dark but smart Mazda layout. Buttons and switches are in the correct places and Mazda uses a BMW-style rotary dial for controls, which is much easier to use on the move than a touchscreen.

There’s plenty of space up front but rear passengers aren’t given a generous amount of leg room. Boot space is 430 litres – almost halfway between the CX-3’s 350 litres and the CX-5’s 50.

Prices start at £22,895.

If you’re after a sharply styled car that drives very well and feels more premium than its rivals, the CX-30 is it